Download control device

ABSTRACT

When download operations get started in unison in conformity to RSS metafile delivery time-and-date information, the traffic is temporarily concentrated to a server, resulting in the risk of a system failure or else. In addition, it is inevitable to periodically check whether an RSS file on Web server is updated or not; so, users must delete update-unnecessary RSS files from those objects to be monitored. In view of this, the periodical update check timing of download control information is dispersed, thereby scattering download requests to the server. The download control information is provided with the information indicating whether such download control information is put under update management and/or expire time-and-date information in case the update management is to be done, whereby an information processing apparatus performs, based on the information, erase processing of the download control information when the download processing is completed.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/403,596, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/596,517, filed Nov. 27, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,576,063, whichrelates to and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2007-111200 filed Apr. 20, 2007, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates to a download control apparatus whichcontrols the downloading of contents, such as data, programs and others.

BACKGROUND ART

Regarding the above-noted technical field, Patent Document 1, forexample, is aimed at a challenge for “enabling an informationdistributor to continuously perform information delivery to registeredusers” and contains a written description as to the solution meansthereof, which reads as follows: “An information delivery systemcomprises a transmission site 30 which transmits delivery informationcontaining therein date information that is written in a specifiedformat, an information delivery server 20 capable of acquiring thedelivery information from each transmission site 30, and an informationterminal 10 which acquires delivery information from the informationdelivery server 20. The information terminal 10 has a display means 14capable of displaying a calendar browser 40 that displays deliveryinformation in a calendar-like form, a mark generation means 16 whichextracts date information from the delivery information acquired fromthe information delivery server 20 and which displays an informationmark 47 indicative of the arrival of delivery information in acorresponding data column of the calendar browser 40 corresponding tothe date information, and a display changeover means 17 which isresponsive to selection of the date column with the information mark 47being displayed, for switching to a content display screen that displaysthe contents of the delivery information as included in such selecteddate column. Thus provided is a contents delivery system capable ofpromptly delivering only high-necessity contents by taking account ofthe degree of necessity of a user on a per-content basis.”

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2006-350746.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by Invention

As broadband Internet services become popular, a service for deliveringvia the Internet those contents attracts increasing attention, whichcontents include videos, photos, music, multimedia data and applicationprograms.

When purchasing and downloading these various kinds of contents, anInternet browser is utilized in an information processing apparatus,such as PC or the like, whereby the user uses an operation device toindicates contents that are linked from HTML contents to thereby performpurchasing and downloading operations.

At this time, in order to improve the convenience of such download ofcontents, it is desirable to provide a function which enablesall-at-once downloading of a great number of contents, successivedownload of periodically delivered contents, and update of downloadedcontents upon delivery of a new version of contents.

To provide this download function, a tag language of XML format, calledRSS (RDF Site Summary) which is also recited in the above-noted patentdocument 1, is sometimes used as standardized download controlinformation. In one RSS file, a title or name of the RSS file per se andits location on the Internet (URL) are written while letting a pluralityof pieces of information necessary for contents downloading, called theitems, be described therein. More specifically, there are recited thetitle of contents to be downloaded, data type, size, downloaddestination (URL), delivery time-and-date, etc.

RSS files are put on a Web server, for example. An informationprocessing apparatus is responsive to receipt of an instruction througha user's operation, for reading an RSS file which is linked from HTMLcontents to thereby perform downloading of the contents that are recitedin the RSS file in accordance with the description of a metafile.

However, in the Patent Document 1 and such downloader application, priorknown RSS-based download control schemes are faced with problems whichwill be described below.

Firstly, in accordance with the RSS metafile delivery time-and-dateinformation, information processing apparatuses complying with suchmetafile begin to perform download operations in unison, resulting inthe traffic being temporarily concentrated to a server, which leads tothe occurrence of operation failures, such as system down or the like.Especially, in cases where the information processing apparatus ishome-use equipment that is designed to download home movies (e.g., atelevision set, recorder or else), the contents are videos so that theseare large in capacity and, simultaneously, are large in number due toconsumer use; thus, risks are worried in particular.

In addition, the use of such RSS file raises a need for the informationprocessing apparatus to periodically check whether the RSS file on Webserver is updated or not. Contents include update-unnecessary ones andthose which are updated by a certain time of year but are no longerupdated after the time. As far as these contents are concerned, theinformation processing apparatus is unable to know the presence orabsence of an update event in future. For this reason, a user who usesthe information processing apparatus is required to make his or her owndecision by using information available from a service provider andperform deletion of an unnecessary RSS file from those objects to bemonitored. This would result in an increase in complexity of user'smanual operations and/or waste of network traffic.

Means for Solving Problems

Consequently, the periodical update check time of download controlinformation is dispersed to thereby scatter download requests as sent toa server, for example.

Additionally, the download control information is arranged so that it isprovided with information indicative of whether such download controlinformation performs update management and/or time-and-date informationof an update time limit in the case of the update management beingperformed, thereby permitting the information processing apparatus toperform, based on these information items, the erase processing fordeletion of the download control information upon completion of downloadprocessing.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the above-stated means, it is possible to avoid the trafficconcentration, for example. It is also possible to perform appropriateupdate processing with respect to each of one-shot (only one time)delivered contents and a series of contents which are deliveredperiodically or opportunistically.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention willbe apparent from the following description of an embodiment of theinvention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A block diagram showing a configuration example of an informationprocessing apparatus and system.

FIG. 2 A data diagram showing a configuration example of downloadcontrol metafile.

FIG. 3 A flow diagram showing an example of processing sequence of Webserver and information processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 A data diagram showing a configuration example of downloadermanagement information.

FIG. 5 A flow diagram showing an example of system initial setupprocessing and timer interrupt processing.

FIG. 6 A flow diagram showing an example of downloader updateprocessing.

FIG. 7 A flow diagram showing an example of download execution orderdetermination processing.

FIG. 8 A flow diagram showing an example of downloader executionprocessing.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An example of preferred form (embodiment) of this invention will beexplained with reference to figures of the drawing. Note here that thisinvention should not be limited to this embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows the relationship of an information processing apparatus 400and its related system.

In the information processing apparatus 400, a CPU 420 executes aprogram(s) that is stored in a memory 430 or HDD 450 to thereby executevarious kinds of processing tasks. Examples of the informationprocessing apparatus 400 are a television set, recorder, personalcomputer or else, which has a recording function with connection to anetwork.

The information processing apparatus 400 has a real time clock (RTC) 460and thus holds a real time in any events, which can be referred from theabove-noted program; so, it has the timer function for causing the CPU420 to execute a program at any designated time of a day.

In addition, a hard disk drive (HDD) is connected through a hard diskinterface (HDD I/F) 440 so that the above-noted program is able toperform read/write processing of a large capacity of data.

Additionally, it is connected to a router (this may be a gateway orelse, which will also be collectively called the repeater device) 310via a network interface (LAN I/F) 410 and thus is linked to the Internet300. Servers which are accessible via the Internet include a Web server100 and a file server 200.

The Web server 100 retains a Web page 110 to which reference is made inorder to perform display by Web browsing function owned by theinformation processing apparatus 400 and a download control metafile 120which describes control information needed for the informationprocessing apparatus 400 to download various contents. It also has ahardware configuration, such as the information processing apparatus400; for example, CPU executes a program that is stored in a memory orHDD to thereby perform various kinds of processing tasks.

In the file server 200, a main body of data of contents 210 to bedownloaded is put. It also has a hardware configuration, such as theinformation processing apparatus 400; for example, CPU executes aprogram that is stored in a memory or HDD, thereby to perform variouskinds of processings.

When a request for acquisition of contents is sent from the informationprocessing apparatus 400 to the file server 200, data of such contentsis delivered via the Internet; by recording it to the HDD via the HDDI/F 440, a downloading session is completed.

A more detailed example is as follows: first, after authentication of IDof the information processing apparatus 400 (or a user) is executed at aservice provider, the Web server 100 acquires an HTML Web page. Uponexecution of purchase processing of a package (contents) by use of suchWeb page, both the ID of such package (contents) and ID of informationprocessing apparatus (or user) are sent to an accounting server formanagement of clients, followed by execution of billing. Aftercompletion of the billing, a download control metafile is downloadedfrom the Web server 100 to the information processing apparatus 400. Inaccordance with this download control metafile, the package (contents)is downloaded from the file server 200. When playing back the package(contents) thus downloaded, a playback control metafile or DRM key dataor contents metadata is acquired if need arises.

Note here that the apparatuses which control download, such as theinformation processing apparatus 400 and servers 100 and 200, arecollectively called the download control apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the download control metafile120. The download control metafile 120 contains download controlinformation 130 which describes the contents of the metafile per se, anddownload execution information 140 which is used to download one or aplurality of contents. This download control metafile 120 is generatedat the Web server 100, for example, including download controlinformation 130, download execution information 140 and various kinds ofdata groups as shown in FIG. 2 in greater detail. This generating part(e.g., the unit for executing a program in CPU of Web server) is alsoreferred to as a download control metafile generation unit.

This download control metafile 120 is described by RSS, as an example.Although the download control metafile is creatable (preparable) for aplurality of given contents within a package, it does not bridge betweena plurality of packages. It is also possible to prepare a plurality ofones for a certain package. Note however that the metafile is preparedwithout fail in such a way that all the contents within a package aredownloadable. The download control metafile 120 is updated from time totime; in view of this, a transmitter checks in a predetermined length oftime cycle and updates a difference, if any. In the case of RSS, anenclosure url is used to perform discrimination between respectivecontents.

The download control information 130 has a download control metafilename 131 which indicates the title of a corresponding download controlmetafile 120 (e.g., download reservation title, file name, ID, etc.), adownload control metafile location 132 which indicates the location of acorresponding download control metafile 120 (e.g., URL of a Web site onthe Internet that provides download reservation, which may alternativelybe an address that is not limited to URL—the same will be true on thelocation below), a download control metafile explanation sentence 133which indicates an explanation of a corresponding download controlmetafile 120 (e.g., explanation as to download reservation, languagetype, etc.), an update check flag 134, and an expire time-and-date 135.

The update check flag 134 is a flag which is for determining whether thedownload control metafile 120 on the Web server 100 is changed incontent and whether periodical check is performed or not. The flag takesa value of “Update” indicating the need to perform checking or a valueof “One Shot” indicating elimination of periodical check after firstacquisition. The expire time/date 135 is effective in the case of theupdate check flag 134 being set to “Update,” in which are recited thedate and hour of a time limit of continuing to check the update of thedownload control metafile 120.

The expire time/date 135 indicates a time limit of the updatesurveillance of contents. The unit of such time limit is arbitrarilysettable (in units of dates, hours or minutes). It can also take a valueindicating “No Time Limit,” i.e., semipermanently continuing to check.

In addition, as another embodiment, a special value (e.g., all zeros) ofthe expire time/date 135 is handled as the value indicating the “OneShot” of the update check flag 134, thereby making it possible torealize an arrangement which omits the update check flag 134.

The download execution information 140 is such that a plurality of onesare describable in the download control metafile 120. For each set ofcontents to be downloaded, it stores several information, such as adelivery content title 141 which indicates the title of such content(this may be a TV program title or, alternatively, a file name or ID),an explanation sentence 142 of the delivery content which indicates anexplanation of such content (such as features, remarks, etc.), adelivery time-and-date 143 indicating a date and hour for delivery ofsuch content (this may be in units of days or minutes), a deliverycontent location 144 which indicates the location of such content, acategory/type 145 of delivery content, a delivery content-use metafilelocation 146 which indicates the location of a metafile corresponding tosuch content, and a size 147 of the delivery content.

Although the delivery time/date 143 is usually arranged to describe thetime and date on which content is stored in the file server 200 and laidopen to the public, a delivery-scheduled time-and-date in future mayalternatively be recited in the delivery time/date 143 in cases wherethe content is not laid open yet when the download control metafile 120is delivered. In case once-delivered content are updated in content, atime and date of such updating are recited in the delivery time/date143.

The delivery content file type 145 is for recitation of the category ortype of a video, photo, music, program, multimedia data or else. Thevideo may be further divided into more detailed ones, such as movies,news, sports and others whereas the music is further categorizable intoseveral ones, such as classical music, rock, jazz, etc., the types ofwhich may be recited therein.

The delivery content-use metafile is the attribute information that isneeded for playback or execution of contents. One example of it isgenre/keyword information for use in search of contents. Another examplein the case of the content being video information is thumbnail orchapter information thereof.

It is noted that all or part of the download control metafile 120 andthe download control information 130 and the download executioninformation 140 will be called the download control data.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a procedure which permits the informationprocessing apparatus 400 to acquire the download control metafile 120.

A program of the Web browser 500 which is executed by the informationprocessing apparatus 400 (this will be simply referred to hereinafter asWeb browser 500) performs a request for acquisition of a Web page withrespect to the Web server 100 and then displays the Web page acquired.In FIG. 3, first of all, a Web page a 111 (for example, including HTMLand a display screen which displays titles of contents, such as a pack,cinema, TV program, music, etc.) is displayed; then, a user operates thecontents by an operation device, such as a remote controller, and whenselecting a button “Purchase,” a Web page b 112 which is link-recited atthe “Purchase” button is acquired and displayed on the Web page a 111.In the example of FIG. 3, a display screen is shown as the Web page a111, which displays a pack title “Kashiwa FC '06 Pack,” price “3,000yen,” a message saying “All games of Kashiwa FC in 2006 are available,”a set of viewing/listening and copying conditions “No limits” and “3Copies,” and buttons named “Purchase” and “Return.” Additionally ascreen is shown as the Web page b 112, which displays a TV program title“Kashiwa FC '06 Pack” and an ensemble of buttons for choosing contentsto be downloaded from this pack (e.g., when choosing “All,” all contentsincluded in the pack are downloaded; when selecting “June,” contentscorresponding to June are downloaded). On this Web page, every downloadbutton is provided with its own download control metafile 120 whichdescribes contents to be downloaded, with a link defined thereto. Uponselection of the “Kashiwa FC '06 Pack,” a download control metafile 120is acquired, which contains download control information 130 thatincludes “Kashiwa FC '06 Pack” as the title 131 and download executioninformation 140 corresponding to a respective one of all games ofKashiwa FC in 2006 (if the game number is 50 then there are 50 items ofdownload execution information 140), for example. Alternatively, uponselection of “March,” a download control metafile 120 is obtained, whichcontains download control information 130 that includes “Kashiwa FC '06Pack March” as the title 131 and download execution information 140corresponding to a respective one of all games of Kashiwa FC of March in2006 (if the game number is 5 then there are 5 sets of downloadexecution information 140), for example (the Web server 100 transfers,and information processing apparatus 400 receives).

On this Web page b 112, when the user chooses the “Download” button, theWeb browser 500 issues to the Web server 100 a request for sending thedownload control metafile 120 which is link-recited at the “Download”button. Upon receipt of the download control metafile 120, the Webbrowser 500 passes such data to a downloader 550 (a program of thedownloader 550 to be executed by the information processing apparatus400).

The downloader 550 analyzes the content of this passed download controlmetafile 120 (at 560) and registers the download reservation information130 recited therein to a download reservation management table 850 whichwill be explained in FIG. 4 (570), and then registers its correspondingdownload execution information 140 to a download execution managementtable 870 which will be explained in FIG. 4 (580). Thereafter, itexecutes a download execution order determination processing 1300 whichwill be described later in FIG. 7 (590).

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of a database which is undermanagement of the downloader 550.

Downloader management information 800 is the information that thedownloader 550 manages timings of checking update of the downloadcontrol metafile 120. Check cycle information 810 is, for example, apredetermined check cycle time to be set by users. Last checktime-and-date 820 is the information indicative of the date and hour ofa check that was last performed in a periodical check event. Next checkschedule time-and-date 830 is the data and hour that was determined byadding the check cycle information 810 to the last check time/date 820;by setting this value to a timer of the RTC 460, it is possible to checkupdate of the download control metafile 120 at a time equal to the nextcheck schedule time/date 830.

The download reservation management table 850 is a table for managementof download reservation corresponding to the download control metafile120 that is instructed by the Web page b 112 of FIG. 3. It has adownload reservation title 851, download reservation location 852,download reservation explanation sentence 853, update check flag 854 andexpire time/date 855, in which are respectively stored the downloadcontrol metafile name 131, download control metafile location 132,download control metafile explanation sentence 133, update check flag134 and expire time/date 135 of the download control information 130.

The download execution management table 870 is a table for management ofdownload execution situations with respect to respective contents. Ithas a delivery content title 871, delivery content explanation sentence872, delivery time-and-date 873, delivery content location 874, deliverycontent type 875, delivery content-use metafile location 876 anddelivery content size 877, in which are respectively stored a deliverycontent title 141, delivery content explanation sentence 142, deliverytime-and-date 143, delivery content location 144, delivery content type145, delivery content-use metafile location 146 and delivery contentsize 147 of the download execution information 140 of the downloadcontrol metafile 120 of FIG. 2, which was imported.

A download execution state 878 has several values of “Not Executed,”“Downloading,” “Downloaded” and “Halt State” and is used by thedownloader 550 in order to manage the download execution state. Downloadprogress information 879 is the information that is used to manage thedegree of progress of a download operation; as an example, it seriallystores a size of download-completed contents. In this case, by obtaininga ratio of it to the delivery content size 877, it is possible todisplay the download progress degree to the user in percentage (%), forexample. At this time, in case the download execution state 878 is setto “Not Executed,” the download progress information 879's value staysat zero; in the case of “Downloaded,” the value of download progressinformation 879 is set equal to the delivery content size 877.

An appropriate number (M) of download execution management tables 870are prepared, which number corresponds to the number ofdownload-manageable contents.

In download execution management table pointers (1 856 to N 857) of thedownload reservation management table 850, the location of the downloadexecution management table 870 (such as an address within HDD 450 or anaddress of the memory 430) is stored. N is the number of importabledownload execution information 140, which is different depending on asystem design employed.

A download execution order table 900 is the table that the downloader550 manages the priority degree of download execution. It includes anarray of M pointers 910 relative to the download execution managementtable 870. Let this array be in an execution order, for example. Theexecution order is determined by the download execution orderdetermination processing 1300.

The part that records the download control metafile in this way (e.g.,HDD or memory) will also be called the download control metafilerecording unit.

FIG. 5 shows a processing example to be performed by the downloader 550.

It is a system initial setup processing 600 of FIG. 5 that is performedin the information processing apparatus 400. Here, first, an input of adownload control metafile check cycle is received from the user by meansof the remote controller or else (at 610). For example, the user isexpected to input information at time intervals on a per-day or per-hourbasis. The input check cycle time is set in a field of check cycle time810 (620). Next, a random number is generated in such a way as to causeevery information processing apparatus 400 to generate a different value(630); then, based on such value, a reference time-and-date for checkingthe first download control metafile is generated (640). The initialsetup may be done in such a manner that the check cycle time is fixed inthe absence of reception of the user's setup or, alternatively, it isvariably set up by the user.

The time-and-date information thus generated is stored in the next checkschedule time/date 830 (650); then, a timer interrupt generation requestof the time point of the next check schedule time/date 830 is set in theRTC 460 (660).

It is a timer interrupt processing 700 that is executed after having setup the timer interrupt generation request at 660.

At 660, when it becomes the time point that is set by the timer, thetimer interrupt processing 700 of FIG. 5 is executed. The timerinterrupt processing 700 is such that the value of the next checkschedule time/date 830 is copied to the last check time/date 820 (720)to thereby execute a download update processing 1100 (730).

Thereafter, a value obtained by adding the check cycle time 810 to thelast check time/date 820 is stored in the next check schedule time/date830 (740); then, the timer interrupt generation request of the timepoint of the next check schedule time/date 830 is set in the RTC 460(750). Whereby, the timer interrupt processing 700 is performed inaccordance with the check cycle time 810; so, it is possible to checkupdate of the download control metafile 120 in a fixed time cycle thatwas designated by the user, for example.

The part that sets up the update check timing (e.g., a part of the CPUwhich is executed by a program) in this way will also be called thecheck timing setup unit.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed example of the download update processing 1100to be executed at 730 of FIG. 5.

The download update processing 1100 is such that in a sequential orderof from the top record of the download reservation management table 850(1110), a check is made to determine whether the value of the updatecheck flag 854 is “Update” or not (1120). If “Update” then check whetherthe expire time/date 855 has a past value than the present time, i.e.,whether it is expiration of limitation period or not (1130). If not theexpiration of deadline, access is given to the URL that is indicated bythe download reservation location 852, thereby checking whether thedownload control metafile 120 is updated or not (1140). If the downloadcontrol metafile 120 on a server is updated (1150), a new version ofdownload control metafile 120 is downloaded; then, check a differencebetween corresponding download reservation management table 850 anddownload execution management table 870 (1160).

As a result of the checking, whether deletion is done from the downloadexecution information 140 is checked as to the download executionmanagement table 870 which is a referencing destination of the downloadexecution management table pointers 1-N (1170); if any, a record of thecorresponding download execution management table 870 is deleted (1180).Next, regarding the download execution management table 870 of thereferencing destination of the download execution management tablepointers 1-N, an attempt is made to check whether the download executioninformation 140 that does not present in the presently existing downloadexecution management table 870 is added or not (1190); if any, add arecord of the corresponding download execution management table 870(1200). Further, as for the download execution management table 870 ofthe reference destination of download execution management tablepointers 1-N, checking is done to specify whether information is updatedor not in new download execution information 140 (1210); if any updatedpart is found, modify a corresponding field value of the downloadexecution management table 870 (1220).

In this way, the processing starting from the box 1120 will be repeateduntil the checking of every download execution management table 870 iscompleted (1230).

With the processing above, download control metafile update isperiodically checked with respect to the server at fixed time intervals,thereby making it possible to reflect a modified portion(s) upon thedatabase of the downloader.

The part that checks the update of the download control metafile in thisway (e.g., a part of the CPU which is executed by a program) will alsobe called the update check unit.

Lastly, the download execution order determination processing 1300 isexecuted, thereby determining again the download execution order (1240).

FIG. 7 shows a detailed example of the download execution orderdetermination processing 1300 that is executed at 590 of FIG. 3.Firstly, certain ones of the download execution management table 870,including one with the delivery time/date 873 having a futuralvalue—i.e., the one that is not delivered yet and is set in thedownload-reserved state—and one with the download execution state 878being set to “Downloaded,” are excluded from candidates for theexecution order determination processing as not-to-be-executed objects(1310).

With respect to the remaining download execution management tables 870to be executed, a download execution order is determined in accordancewith a prespecified algorithm (1320); then, in accordance with thisdetermined execution order, pointer values relative to the downloadexecution management tables 870 are stored in the download executionmanagement table pointers 910 of the download execution sequence table900 in the priority order (1330).

As for the “prespecified algorithm” of 1320, its methodology to beimplemented becomes different depending on the form of download servicesand/or the user's desired performance and functionality. Examples of itare algorithms (a) to (f) which follow:

-   -   (a) Contents are downloaded in the importing order of download        control metafiles 120; within the same download control metafile        120, contents are downloaded in the description order of the        download execution information 140.    -   (b) Higher priority is given to a one with the delivery content        size 877 being smaller in value.    -   (c) Those contents belonging to a download control metafile 120        with a shorter update cycle are prioritized.    -   (d) In the case of an information processing apparatus capable        of executing download of a plurality of contents in a parallel        way, several sets of contents are downloaded simultaneously in a        parallel manner.    -   (e) In the case of several sets of contents of (d) being        simultaneously downloaded in parallel, higher priority is given        to the download of one which is put on the server of a        respective separate domain.    -   (f) The user expressly designates his or her preferred download        execution order via the user interface of an information        processing apparatus; then, download is performed in a way        pursuant thereto.

FIG. 8 shows a processing example of downloader execution processing1000 which performs the actual download processing in accordance withthe download execution order table 900 that was set up by the downloadexecution order determination processing 1300 of FIG. 7.

First of all, reference is made in the priority order to those recordsof the download execution management table 870 that is indicated by thedownload execution management table pointers 910 of the downloadexecution sequence table 900 (1010).

If the download execution management table 870 is found (1020), thedownload of contents from the server gets started in accordance with thecontent of the download execution management table 870 (1040); then, thevalue of download execution state 878 is changed from the default value“Not Downloaded” to a value “Downloading” (1040).

After having completed the download of the contents, resulting in thecontents being stored in HDD (1050), a related metafile needed forplayback or execution of such contents is downloaded from the URL of thedelivery content-use metafile location 876, and is registered to the HDDtogether with the contents (1055); then, the value of the downloadexecution state 878 is changed to “Downloaded” (1060); finally, acorresponding pointer field is deleted from the download executionsequence table 900, followed by moving the remaining ones ahead (1070).

Next, reference is made to the download reservation management table 850to which the download execution management table 870 of thedownload-completed contents belongs, thereby to check the downloadexecution state 878 with respect to every download execution managementtable 870 belonging thereto (1080); if every download execution state878 is set at “Downloaded” with the update check flag 854=“One Shot” orwith the check flag 854=“Updated” and also the expire time/date 855being past than a present time and date (1080), a decision is made toconclude that there is no need to further update the download controlmetafile, followed by deletion of its corresponding download reservationmanagement table 850 and the download execution management table 870belonging thereto from the database of the downloader (1100).

Thereafter, based on a new database, the download execution orderdetermination processing 1300 is executed again to thereby remake adownload execution order table 900 (1110); then, the processing of fromthe block 1010 will be executed repeatedly.

In the block 1020, if there is not any download execution managementtable 870 to be further executed, then wait until either the downloadreservation management table 850 or the download execution managementtable 870 is updated (1120). Upon occurrence of such updating, theprocessing is redone from the beginning thereof.

It is desirable that after having been started by system start-upprocessing, the above-stated downloader execution processing 1000 isrendered operative in at all times and repeatedly executed in backgroundat low priority degree—in a way that it does not hinder or impede otherprocessing—as far as the information processing apparatus is operating.

According to this embodiment, even in a case where there are a greatnumber of same information processing apparatuses, the download updateprocessing 1100 checks the update of download control metafiles atpredetermined time intervals, while letting a per-equipment differenttime-and-date be as the start point thereof.

In addition, because of the execution of downloading based on theprespecified time cycle, it is possible to disperse the traffic withrespect to the Web server 100 and file server 200. This makes itpossible to lower costs of such servers and communication lines forconnection of such servers.

It is also possible to automatically delete monitoring-unnecessitateddownload control information from the database information of thedownloader 550 to thereby ensure that unnecessary files are no longerstored in HDD 450 infinitely.

Although the invention has been described with reference to currentlypreferred embodiments thereof, this invention should not exclusively belimited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various changes and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   120 Download Control Metafile    -   134 Update Check Flag    -   135 Expire Time-and-Date    -   210 Contents    -   400 Information Processing Apparatus    -   450 Hard Disk Drive    -   460 Real Time Clock    -   500 Web Browser    -   550 Downloader    -   600 System Initial Setup Processor    -   700 Timer Interrupt Processing    -   800 Downloader Management Information    -   850 Download Reservation Management Table    -   870 Download Execution Management Table    -   900 Download Execution Order Table    -   1000 Downloader Execution Processing    -   1100 Downloader Update Processing    -   1300 Download Execution Order Determination Processing

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for downloading content by adownload control apparatus which includes a receiving unit, a check unitand a processor for executing the steps of the receiving unit and thecheck unit, comprising the steps of: receiving, by the receiving unit,download control meta information that includes meta locationinformation indicating a location of the download control metainformation, content location information indicating a location ofcontent, update check information indicating whether or not to check foran update to the download control meta information that is located atthe location indicated in the meta location information and expirationtime information indicating a time of whether or not an update of thedownload control meta information is checked; receiving the content fromthe location indicated by the content location information; in a casewhere the update check information indicates to check for an update tothe download control meta information that is located at the locationindicated in the meta location information, checking, by the check unit,whether the download control meta information in the location indicatedby the meta location information has been updated; and when the downloadcontrol meta information has been updated and when information of thecontent has been added in the updated download control meta information,receiving the content indicated in the updated download control metainformation.